Everything you need to know about cloudwashing

The revolutionary impact of the cloud cannot be understated. Cloud delivery of computation, software applications, data access, data management and storage resources has allowed business to move faster. Cloud computing is low-maintenance, cost-effective and highly scalable – in fact, it’s nothing short of game-changing.

But if you’re not vigilant, you could fall into the trap of procuring cloud software that’s traditional software in disguise. It’s called cloudwashing and it’s becoming more common. So we thought it best to help you understand it and how to avoid it.

What is cloudwashing?

Cloudwashing is when software providers take traditional software, virtualise it and sell it as pure cloud. It’s a marketing swindle aimed at using the hype around the cloud to sell software products that fall short of the definition of cloud software. Pure cloud or cloud-native software is developed exclusively for the cloud as a strict SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) solution. Big names in the cloud market have been accused of cloudwashing (including IBM, Microsoft and Oracle) in the past and the practice goes back more than a decade to the early days of cloud computing.

The issue with cloudwashing is twofold. First, it adds to the continuing confusion around what the cloud is. Second, cloudwashed services can’t deliver all the benefits of cloud-native software (efficiency, scalability and cost-effectiveness), so consumers spend more money configuring their cloudwashed solutions to meet their needs.

How do you avoid cloudwashing?

Thankfully, there are practical ways for even a layperson to spot a cloudwashed product accurately. Look out for terms like “cloud-enabled” or “cloud integration” because these are dead giveaways for solutions that weren’t built in and for the cloud.

Multitenancy is a core feature of pure cloud solutions so if you’re running a single instance of a program on one virtualised server, you’re not using a cloud-native solution. A pure cloud product will not shy away from using strict technical terms such as SaaS, PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) and IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service). Finally, a cloud solution is fully scalable and updates are automatic with little to no downtime.

Choose R&A for pure cloud software

Rae & Associates specialises in delivering world-class cloud accounting solutions to growing businesses. We understand just how valuable the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and scalability of cloud applications are for SMEs. QuickBooks Online Accounting, Xero Accounting Software and PaySpace deliver on what the cloud has to offer and they keep all your financial management bases covered.

If you’re looking for secure, cutting-edge, reliable and honest-to-goodness cloud software without the marketing spin, get in touch with R&A today.